About Remote Video Proceedings (RVP)

In a collaborative project with the Cities of Coalinga and Mendota, the Fresno Superior Court is starting Remote Video Proceedings (RVP). This free service is a convenience for motorists cited for traffic violations outside the Fresno-Clovis area and who must travel 15 miles or more from where their citations were issued to appear in traffic court in downtown Fresno. Starting this spring, instead of going to Fresno these defendants may elect to appear in traffic court by videoconference from the Cities of Coalinga or Mendota. Or, they can still appear in person at the M Street Courthouse, located at 2317 Tuolumne Street in Fresno.

How RVP Works

The City of Mendota will hold RVP for traffic court every Tuesday morning with the City of Coalinga holding remote proceedings every Wednesday morning. These cities will each have a large room similar to a courtroom equipped with wide-screen camera, a large television monitor, and microphones. They will connect by videoconference to a courtroom in the M Street Courthouse with the same equipment. Everyone, including defendants and the judge, will be able to see, hear, and speak to each other through this video connection.

On RVP days, the court will have an employee in Coalinga and Mendota to conduct roll call as well as gather documents from defendants and law enforcement officers. After that, the court will proceed as in a traditional traffic hearing, only it will be held via videoconference. If defendants or law enforcement officers have exhibits that were not submitted earlier, the court employee will scan/e-mail or fax the documents immediately to the judge. The Fresno Superior Court will know in advance if an interpreter is needed and will ensure that one is present in Coalinga or Mendota prior to the start of RVP.

Witness and Citing Officer Appearances

Witnesses testifying in support of defendants must appear at the same locations as those defendants.

In cases in which defendants have chosen to appear remotely, citing officers may attend court in the same locations as the defendants or they can request to appear in the Fresno courtroom by submitting form FTR-70 after receiving their subpoenas. In those cases, witnesses for the citing officers may appear in either location.

Links to More Information and Forms

Notice and Waiver of Rights and Request for Remote Video Arraignment and Trial (English form TR-505 or Spanish form TR-505 S) to request RVP in Coalinga or Mendota for BOTH arraignment and trial on the same day.

Can the officer request to appear in court instead of the remote location?

Yes, only if the defendant has requested to appear at a remote location. The officer must submit a (Form# FTR-70). The officer may not appear at a remote location if the defendant has not requested to appear at a remote location.